GILBERT "GIL" SCOTT-HERON

April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011

I wish you a peaceful transition brother.

"The first change that takes place is in your mind. You have to change your mind before you change the way you live and the way you move......the thing that's going to change people is something that no one will ever be able to capture on film. It will just be something that you see and then  all of a sudden you will realise, I’m on the wrong page or I'm on the right page but I'm on the wrong note" - Gil Scott-Heron

Check the video below....

 

The whole being a vegan idea seems impossible when every time I step into a Crumbs Bake Shop.

I'm not a big fan of cake to be honest, but when it comes to carrot cake no one can keep me away. Its second in line to yellow packet peanut M&M's (which I'm currently addicted to). Crumbs do the BEST carrot cake in New York and the whole wide world, they're so moist and yummy. Oh and apparently the shop was on Sex In The City. See below pictures of  mine and Tana's visit to Crumbs.

The Divine Carrot Cake

Tana being Ghetto in the Cake Shop SMH

Me admiring the Carrot Cake

Tana and her cake, not as good as the Carrott Cake

Tana being weird Tana

The remains of the Carrot Cake

I certainly could

Last week I was in my element when I spent half a day volunteering as part of the New York Cares program. Nothing makes me happier than giving back and helping people after all smiles are priceless. When this program was brought to my attention I signed up on the website, attended a 1 hour orientation session then ey presto! I was good to go.

On the website there's hundreds of projects to choose from such as reading bedtime stories to children, planting trees, jewellery making. Something for everybody. I decided I'd have a go at sorting clothes in a Housing Works warehouse. Being a shopoholic may slightly have influenced my decision, I'm not gonna lie lol. Housing works has thrift stores (charity shops for my UK people) all across NY, their proceeds going to helping people homeless people that are living with AIDS. Sounded good to me!!



On the day I caught the 7 train to the Warehouse in Queens. I had no idea what to expect when I first got there, but  thankfully everyone was warm and enthusiastic. The warehouse was full to the brim of donated second hand clothes, shoes and bags. I've never seen anything quite like it.

 
I was assigned the task of putting coats on hangers.

The clothes that I hung up

Whilst I was there I made friends with Crystal and Marsha to very animated talkative characters. They were hilarious.

Crystal (back) Marsha (Front) and the green tees

Marsha and I

The earrings and I

I feel I made positive contribution by being there, although I was only hanging up clothes the energy that I took to complete the task will in the long run help somebody in need. Its what they call the 'ripple effect'. I'll definitely will being do another project so time soon. Watch this space.

"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly" - Proverb

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Anyone that knows me, knows I LOVE Jesse Boykins. I found him accidentally one day just browsing random youtube videos, as you do. I've been hooked ever since.  I would describe him as having a cool relaxed Dwele vibe fused with sensual Brian Mcknight lyrics, fused with a slick sexy Joe voice. Sounds epic right?, yeh I know.

When my girl told me he was doing a free show in NYC. I had to be there.

I've seen him live once before in Cargo, London sometime last year. I was lets just say, extremely tipsy, so I remember that night vaguely. All I know is that I had a few too many Rosé's and I was in the audience screaming from the pit of my belly like a crazy groupie in a practically silent crowd. People were giving me the side eye the whole night lol. When you watch video's of that show you can actually hear me, mega embarrassing. I totally blame it on the alcohol, ain't got nothing to do with me lol. So, this was the perfect opportunity to see him again, sober.

The night was in aid of Suit Dreams, an initiative that's set up to provide suits to Black young men in Brooklyn that have completed high school but don't have a suit to wear to their graduation prom. As part of the program the young people are also mentored by top business men who encourage and guide them in pursuing their dreams. Its a beautiful concept.

I printed out my google map directions and hooked up with Ba'Ra and we made our way (with great difficulty) to the venue. The event was held at Katra Lounge. 

We got to the venue around 8 ish, to find Jesse Boykins standing outside, I saw him and my knees got wobbly and butterflies zoomed around in my belly. Ba'Ra told me acting a "straight up fool" lol - you gotta love hes bluntness lol. You've probably already gathered that I think Jesse Boykins is SEXY, my crush on him is simply ridiculous lol.

The club had a warm Moroccan vibe going on, it was filled with handsome men in sharp suit that made me wish I had dressed up, oh well. Inside was packed and the atmosphere was pleasant. For a while Ba'Ra and I just hung around, navigating our way through the herds of people. We discovered there was a downstairs that was even more ram then upstairs, it was bit too much so we went back up. And there he was, standing in the VIP area, Jesse Boykins. Ba'Ra told me to go ask him for a picture, after a bit of hesitation and him dragging me to Jesse, I went.

I went over and I shyly asked Jesse for a photo he said "Aint you that girl from London?" -  it was definately a 'floor just swallow me up moment' the embarrassment was too much lol. I suppose the positive side of it is that he remembered me (even if it I was in my drunken state). We took a photo.

I look a bit busted, but we make a cute couple

Ba'Ra chilling on the red cushions

He's show was amazing. Like always he was full of energy and had me questioning why he is such an underrated artist. Along side he live band he performed 'Prototype', 'Amorous', 'Itis', "Pantyhose' and quite a few other tracks. Part way through the show he came into the audience and sang to me, OH MY LIFE - I nearly died.

The girl he brought on stage - totally feeling her style

 

Overall, I had a great time, beautiful company (Ba'Ra), beautiful men, beautiful music and beautiful New York City. What more could I girl ask for?

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Yesterday, I met up with my lovely amazing friend Ba'Ra we spent a couple of hours wondering round Canal Street (counterfeit central). I purchased a bright yellow bag and some chunky thick wooden colourful bangles (I'll upload a photo later). This season I'm overdosing on colourful clothes and accessories, my friends motto 'Rainbow yourself happy' is on constant replay in my head - alongside all the other strange voices lol. Anyway, after all this walking bellies started rumbling and hunger set in. Ba'Ra being a vegan, and me being a pescatarian meant that walking into McDonalds and grabbing a big mac was a big hell no.

Ba'Ra recommended a Vegan spot called Wild Ginger. When he first explained that it was Vegan Chinese restaurant, I was like 'Huh, you gotta be kidding me'. I mean, what vegan chinese food is there, noodles and broccolli??. I decided to give it a try, 'what don't kill me can only make me stronger' and all of that. So we arrived.

 
I didn't have a clue what anything was on the menu, but Ba'Ra gave me a full breakdown. In the end I ordered 'General Tsao's Soy Protein'. The food arrived.

The yummy food

Are you thinking what I was thinking?? It looks like chicken!! Let me start by saying the food was DELICIOUS. It looked and tasted JUST like chicken. My brain couldn't actually process the fact it wasn't chicken. Ba'Ra explained to me over 10 times that is was actually soy protein made to taste like chicken. The imitation was so on point it was unbelievable.

Ba'RA and the soy protein (chicken)

Me and the empty plate

After this little experience, I am actually contemplating becoming a vegan. It opened me up to a whole new whole of tasty vegan food that I never even knew existed.

YOUR LEGACY LIVES. YOUR NAME LIVES. YOUR SPIRIT LIVES. YOU LIVE.

THANK YOU MALCOLM X

(Check out some of my favorite Malcolm X quotes) 

"There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time."

"Despite my firm convictions, I have been always a man who tries to face facts, and to accept the reality of life as new experience and new knowledge unfolds it. I have always kept an open mind, which is necessary to the flexibility that must go hand in hand with every form of intelligent search for truth."

"And just because you have colleges and universities doesn't mean you have education."

(Check out the video!!)

“Who taught you to hate the texture of your hair? Who taught you to hate the color of your skin, to such extent that you bleach to get like the white man? Who taught you to hate the shape of your nose, and the shape of your lips? Who taught you to hate yourself, from the top of your head to the soles of your feet?”

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Last week Friday, I was blessed to be able to go and see Nneka @ SOB (Sound Of Brazils). I'm going to be honest, before I went I wasn't the biggest Nneka fan. I was totally feeling that 'Heartbeat' track (the video reminds me of my second home The Gambia) and I could hum along to some of the songs from her 'No Longer at ease' album. To say I was a fanatic, would have been taking a bit too far. HOWEVER, after seeing her live I AM HOOKED.

Her whole set was acoustic; it had the whole 'Lauryn Hiill Unplugged album' feel going on. It was full of genuine passion and emotion; she shed a few tears during some of the songs. It was obvious, she felt and meant single every word she sang. It came from the heart. The thing I really digged about the concert was her honesty and truth, she had the confidence to freely say what she taught without being apologetic. A quality that is rare. I was entranced by the intimate set for a long beautiful hour.

So, since last Friday until now I have had 'Valley' on repeat - check it out! Peep below one of the tracks she performed on the night.

The night was also a significant night for me. It was the first concert I've EVER been to ALONE. Goooo ME!! :)



I ROCKED THIS! I LOVE THEM EARRINGS (HARLEM BABBY)